What precautions should buyers take when making an online payment?

Answer 1

make sure that the site you are accessing has SSL enabled, which will encrypt your outgoing/incoming data from that site, in internet explorer it will show as a gold lockbox by the address bar. Also if you are on wireless, make sure encryption is enabled on this as well, some ideas.

Answer 2

Make sure your computer is safe.

1. Install an antivirus (Free Avast! is good enough)
2. Make sure Firewall is enabled
3. VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure you don't get hacked because your software is outdated; I'd recommend downloading Secunia PSIsince it will update most of your software automatically.

Also, if your system has been compromised before, make sure you do at least a thorough cleanup and -even better- a re-install. At least, perform a full boot-time scan with your antivirus.

Answer 3

When buying online, one should first there is a contact address and phone number on the website. Next, when entering credit card information, one should make sure there is an s after the h-t-t-p in the url box, which indicates it is a secure page. Next, one should check reviews for the website, and lastly, a gut instinct never hurts.